Page 129 of Girl Between

“What about step or foster siblings?” LaSalle asked.

Dana nodded, seeming to like that line of reasoning. “I think you might be onto something. The way the victim was preserved shows reverence, care, something one might reserve for a loved one. Monroe lacked that level of empathy with his other victims.”

“Good,” George said, pointing to LaSalle. “Look into any familial possibilities we may have missed pertaining to step or foster siblings.”

“On it,” she said, slipping from the room.

“The rest of you, keep digging. There’s gotta be something we’re missing.” George turned his attention back to Lena’s face on his desktop. “Lena, I need an ID.”

“I can’t pull it out of thin air,” she argued. “My office isn’t exactly stocked with the equipment to run forensics on a mummy.”

“Then what good are you?” George bellowed, desperation ringing in his tone.

He didn’t miss the way everyone in the room flinched at his outburst. But he didn’t have time to worry about the repercussions. “Call me when you have something useful,” he said, slamming the laptop shut.

George glanced at the victim files and photographs covering his desk. Each image told a story of a life cut short, and he was determined to bring them justice. It was moments like these that defined his resilience. He couldn't afford to lose focus now. With a deep breath, he pushed forward.

He lifted his gaze to each person standing in his office before he spoke. “The clock is ticking, people. Do your jobs.”

113

An hour later,Dana was walking out of the precinct, a zombie on her feet. It was only six o’clock but after the last 48-hours all she wanted was a shower and her bed. But George had other ideas. He caught up to her on the street. “Where you heading?” he asked.

“My hotel. I need a shower and a meal or I’m not going to be any good to this case.”

What she really needed was sleep, but with Monroe on the loose, that would have to wait.

“Let me give you a ride,” George offered.

She raised an eyebrow. “It’s a few blocks. I can walk.”

“I know you can, but I’m offering you a ride.”

Dana snorted but kept walking. “That’s a little Jekyll and Hyde, don’t ya think?”

George jogged ahead and cut her off. “I’m trying to apologize.”

“Try harder.”

“Dana.” He grabbed her arm. “I’m sorry. I was out of line today. This case …” He paused, at a loss. Closing his eyes, George inhaled through his nose and collected himself. His eyes were warm again when he opened them. “Whatever this is, it isn’t your fault. I’m sorry I took out my frustrations on you.”

“And Lena.”

“Yes, and Lena.” George exhaled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “And probably every officer and agent I ordered around today.”

“It was a shit day,” she agreed.

“You can say that again.”

“It was a shit day.”

George flashed a grin that Dana almost believed.

“You want that ride?”

“Yes, please. Or I think I might fall asleep right here on this sidewalk.”

Dana leanedback against the headrest, luxuriating in the feel of the air conditioning aimed at her chest. “On second thought, I think I might just fall asleep here,” she said to George as he drove down Royal.